Anti-Fenian Song, An

DESCRIPTION: "In the morning by my side Sat the darling of my pride... When the news spread through the land That the Fenians were at hand...." The singer and his fellows -- "English, Irish, Scot, Canuck" -- "will drive the Fenians back"
AUTHOR: unknown (Music by George F. Root)
EARLIEST DATE: 1932
KEYWORDS: patriotic Canada battle political
HISTORICAL REFERENCES:
May 31, 1866 - Some 1200 Fenians under General O'Neill invade the Niagara area
June 2, 1866 - The Fenians victory at Lime Ridge near Ridgeway
June 3, 1866 - Canadian forces under Colonel Peacock assemble to deal with the Fenians. The Fenians opt to flee Canada
FOUND IN: Canada(Ont)
REFERENCES (3 citations):
Fowke/Mills/Blume-CanadasStoryInSong, pp. 102-105, "An Anti-Fenian Song" (1 text, 1 tune)
Kane-SongsAndSayingsOfAnUlsterChildhood, p. 124, "Beneath the Union Jack" (1 fragment)
MidwestFolklore, Edith Fowke, "Canadian Variations of a Civil War Song," Volume 13, Number 2 (Summer 1963/1964) pp. 102-103, "(no title!)" (2 texts)
Roud #4519
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "A Fenian Song (I)"
cf. "The Fenian Song (II)" (subject)
cf. "Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!" (tune) and references there
ALTERNATE TITLES:
Old Mahoney Needs Some Cash and He Contemplates a Dash
In the Morning By My Side Sat the Darling of my Pride
NOTES [90 words]: For the historical background to this silly idea (the Fenians wanted to hold Canada hostage to make England free Ireland), see the notes to "A Fenian Song (I)."
The only real result of the Fenian invasion was to cause the Canadians to realize the need for greater organization. This gave greater impetus to the drive for Confederation, which was enacted -- not without significant opposition! -- in 1867.
Alice Kane's fragment seems to be the only collection from tradition, and she might well have learned it in a school-type setting. - RBW
Last updated in version 6.8
File: FMB102

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